Jeremiah 38:13

KJV

So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

KJV (with Strong's)

So they drew up {H4900} Jeremiah {H3414} with cords {H2256}, and took him up {H5927} out of the dungeon {H953}: and Jeremiah {H3414} remained {H3427} in the court {H2691} of the prison {H4307}.

Complete Jewish Bible

they pulled Yirmeyahu up with the ropes and took him out of the cistern. Yirmeyahu remained in the guards' quarters.

Berean Standard Bible

and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.

American Standard Version

So they drew up Jeremiah with the cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 38:13 records a pivotal moment in the prophet's harrowing ordeal, detailing his partial rescue from the life-threatening miry pit into which he had been cast. Through the courageous and compassionate intervention of Ebed-Melech, Jeremiah was physically drawn out of the suffocating dungeon using cords. However, his deliverance was not complete liberation; instead, he was transferred to the court of the prison, a less severe but still restrictive form of confinement within the royal complex. This verse powerfully illustrates God's providential preservation of His prophet amidst intense persecution, showcasing divine faithfulness even when full freedom is not immediately granted, and highlighting the vital role of human courage in God's redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a highly dramatic and intense narrative in [Jeremiah 38](/jeremiah/38 "Jeremiah 38 - Jeremiah's Imprisonment and Rescue"), which chronicles the prophet's severe persecution during the final, desperate siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian forces. Immediately preceding this verse, Jeremiah had been unjustly accused of demoralizing the troops and cast into a deep, miry cistern by the princes of Judah, where he was sinking and facing certain death by starvation or suffocation ([Jeremiah 38:4-6](/jeremiah/38-4-6 "Jeremiah Accused and Cast into the Cistern")). The rescue described in verse 13 is the direct consequence of the extraordinary compassion and courageous appeal of Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian eunuch, who interceded with King Zedekiah on Jeremiah's behalf ([Jeremiah 38:7-12](/jeremiah/38-7-12 "Ebed-Melech's Appeal and King Zedekiah's Command")). This event also echoes Jeremiah's previous confinement in the very "court of the prison" mentioned here ([Jeremiah 37:21](/jeremiah/37-21 "Jeremiah 37:21 - Jeremiah in the Court of the Prison")), underscoring the cyclical nature of his suffering and the King's chronic indecisiveness and vacillation between divine counsel and political pressure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [Jeremiah 38](/jeremiah/38 "Jeremiah 38 - Jeremiah's Ordeal") unfold during the desperate twilight years of the Kingdom of Judah, specifically amidst the devastating final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army (circa 588-586 BC). King Zedekiah, a weak and largely ineffectual ruler, found himself trapped between the powerful pro-Egyptian faction of his princes and the divinely inspired, yet deeply unpopular, message of Jeremiah to surrender to Babylon. Prophesying surrender was deemed treasonous by the Judean officials who championed resistance, leading to Jeremiah's repeated arrests, imprisonments, and attempts on his life. The "dungeon" mentioned was typically a dry cistern, originally designed for water storage. These cisterns, often bottle-shaped with narrow openings, could become extremely dangerous if they collected mud and mire, as was the case for Jeremiah, making them a particularly cruel and effective means of eliminating unwanted individuals without direct execution. In contrast, the "court of the prison" was a more common and less severe holding area, likely within the royal palace complex, offering some degree of light, space, and access compared to the suffocating pit.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 38:13 contributes significantly to several profound themes woven throughout the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Preservation and Providence**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to protecting His chosen servants even in the most perilous circumstances, often through unexpected and seemingly unlikely agents like Ebed-Melech. The verse also highlights **Human Compassion and Courage** in the face of widespread corruption, hostility, and moral decay, as Ebed-Melech risks his own standing and safety to uphold justice and save an innocent life. Furthermore, it underscores **Jeremiah's Perseverance in Suffering**, showcasing his unwavering faithfulness despite relentless persecution for delivering God's unpopular, yet true, message. Finally, this episode exemplifies the theme of **Partial Deliverance**, where God's rescue, while miraculous and life-saving, does not always equate to full liberation from all hardship, but rather a strategic improvement in circumstances that enables continued endurance and purpose, as seen throughout Jeremiah's ministry ([Jeremiah 39:15-18](/jeremiah/39-15-18 "Jeremiah 39:15-18 - God's Promise to Ebed-Melech")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **drew up (Hebrew, _mâshak'_ H4900):** This verb signifies "to draw," often implying a forceful, sustained, or laborious action. In this context, it vividly describes the physical exertion required to pull Jeremiah out of the deep, miry pit, emphasizing the direness of his situation and the arduous nature of his rescue. It conveys a deliberate, powerful act of extraction from a place of entrapment and certain death.
* **dungeon (Hebrew, _bôwr'_ H953):** While commonly translated as "dungeon," the primary meaning of this word is "pit-hole," specifically a "cistern" or "well." As described in [Jeremiah 38:6](/jeremiah/38-6 "Jeremiah in the Miry Cistern"), this was a place filled with mud and mire, making it an exceptionally dangerous and suffocating environment. The use of _bôwr_ underscores the life-threatening, rather than merely confining, nature of Jeremiah's previous imprisonment.
* **remained (Hebrew, _yâshab'_ H3427):** This primitive root primarily means "to sit down," but by implication, it extends to "to dwell" or "to remain." In this verse, it indicates that Jeremiah's new location in the court of the prison was not a temporary stop but a place where he would continue to reside under guard. It highlights the sustained nature of his confinement, even if the conditions were improved.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So they drew up Jeremiah with cords,"**: This clause details the method of Jeremiah's extraction from the miry pit. The "they" refers to Ebed-Melech and the thirty men King Zedekiah provided for the rescue operation ([Jeremiah 38:10](/jeremiah/38-10 "King Zedekiah's Command to Ebed-Melech")). The use of "cords" (H2256, _chebel_) underscores the depth and difficulty of the rescue, as Jeremiah had sunk deep into the mud. It signifies a laborious and physically demanding process, a literal lifeline extended to him.
* **"and took him up out of the dungeon:"**: This phrase explicitly states the successful outcome of the rescue operation. Jeremiah was removed from the "dungeon" (H953, _bôwr_), the miry pit where he had been left to die. This marks a critical transition from imminent peril to relative safety, a direct answer to Ebed-Melech's plea and a powerful act of divine preservation.
* **"and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison."**: This final clause clarifies the nature of Jeremiah's new confinement. His rescue was not a full liberation but a transfer to a different, less severe location within the royal prison complex. The "court of the prison" (H2691, _châtsêr_ H4307, _maṭṭârâʼ_) was a more open, less life-threatening holding area than the pit, where Jeremiah had previously been held ([Jeremiah 37:21](/jeremiah/37-21 "Jeremiah's Previous Confinement")). This indicates a partial deliverance, an improvement in conditions, but not complete freedom.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Contrast** by juxtaposing Jeremiah's previous perilous confinement in the "dungeon" with his new, comparatively safer, location in the "court of the prison." This highlights the significant, life-saving improvement in his circumstances, even though he remains imprisoned. **Symbolism** is present in the "cords" used for his rescue, which represent not only the physical means of his extraction but also the lifeline extended to him by God through Ebed-Melech's compassionate intervention. The "dungeon" itself is a potent symbol of despair, death, and the depths of human cruelty, while the "court of the prison" symbolizes a state of constrained existence, still under authority but with a glimmer of hope or at least survival. The verse also demonstrates **Narrative Progression**, marking a crucial turning point in Jeremiah's personal ordeal within the broader story of Jerusalem's siege, moving him from one extreme of suffering to another, more manageable, form of hardship, yet still emphasizing his continued captivity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 38:13 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign care and providential intervention in the lives of His faithful servants, even when they face extreme persecution and are abandoned by human authorities. Jeremiah's miraculous rescue from the miry pit, a place of certain and agonizing death, is a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to preserve His chosen instruments for His divine purposes. It underscores that God's deliverance may not always manifest as a full and immediate release from all hardship, but rather as a strategic and often partial rescue that enables continued faithfulness and ministry amidst ongoing trials. This episode also highlights the transformative impact of righteous intercession and courageous compassion, exemplified by Ebed-Melech, showcasing how God often uses unexpected individuals, even those from marginalized positions, to fulfill His redemptive plan and demonstrate His justice in a corrupt world.

* [Psalm 40:2](/psalms/40-2 "Psalm 40:2 - God Lifts from the Miry Pit")
* [Daniel 6:22](/daniel/6-22 "Daniel 6:22 - God Delivers Daniel from the Lions' Den")
* [2 Corinthians 4:8-9](/2_corinthians/4-8-9 "2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - Persecuted but Not Abandoned")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah's experience in this verse offers profound encouragement and practical lessons for believers navigating their own "dungeons" of life. When we find ourselves in seemingly insurmountable difficulties, sinking in despair, or facing unjust persecution for our faith, this account powerfully reminds us that God's providence is actively at work, even in the darkest moments. He possesses the power and the will to raise up unexpected "Ebed-Melechs"—whether they be people, resources, or unforeseen circumstances—to provide a lifeline and pull us from the brink of despair or certain destruction. Our deliverance may not always be a complete removal of all challenges or a full restoration to ease, but often a transfer to a more manageable, though still difficult, situation. This calls us to cultivate deep resilience and unwavering trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that even in partial deliverance, He sustains us for His greater purposes. It also challenges us to embody the compassion and courage of Ebed-Melech, to be keenly attentive to the suffering of others, and to bravely intercede or act on their behalf, even when it is costly, inconvenient, or unpopular, remembering that such acts of righteousness are noticed and profoundly honored by God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "miry pits" or seemingly inescapable situations are you currently facing, and how might Jeremiah's rescue inspire renewed hope in God's unexpected provision and timely intervention?**
* **In what specific ways can you embody the compassion and courage of Ebed-Melech in your own sphere of influence, advocating for those who are suffering, marginalized, or unjustly treated?**
* **How does the concept of "partial deliverance" resonate with your own experiences of God's faithfulness, and how can you find contentment and purpose even within ongoing challenges or limitations?**
* **What does Jeremiah's continued faithfulness and prophetic ministry, despite his limited freedom, teach you about perseverance, obedience, and finding purpose in the midst of hardship?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jeremiah in the dungeon in the first place?**

Answer: Jeremiah was cast into the dungeon by the influential princes of Judah because his prophecies were deeply unpopular and considered treasonous. He consistently urged King Zedekiah and the people to surrender to the Babylonians, as commanded by God, which was perceived as undermining the war effort, demoralizing the populace, and betraying the nation ([Jeremiah 38:4](/jeremiah/38-4 "Jeremiah 38:4 - Princes Accuse Jeremiah")). The princes sought to silence him permanently, and throwing him into the miry cistern was a cruel attempt to let him die there without direct execution, thereby avoiding personal culpability.

**Who was Ebed-Melech and why was his action significant?**

Answer: Ebed-Melech was an Ethiopian eunuch, an official serving in King Zedekiah's royal court ([Jeremiah 38:7](/jeremiah/38-7 "Jeremiah 38:7 - Ebed-Melech's Compassion")). His action was highly significant because, as a foreigner and a eunuch (often marginalized figures in ancient society), he displayed extraordinary courage and compassion by publicly appealing to the king on Jeremiah's behalf. He risked the wrath of the powerful Judean princes who had condemned Jeremiah, demonstrating a rare act of righteousness, justice, and moral integrity in a corrupt and fearful court. His decisive intervention directly saved Jeremiah's life from certain death.

**Why wasn't Jeremiah fully released after being rescued from the dungeon?**

Answer: Jeremiah was not fully released because King Zedekiah, though willing to save Jeremiah from death, remained indecisive and deeply fearful of his powerful princes. The king was unwilling to fully defy the officials who vehemently opposed Jeremiah's message and insisted on his imprisonment. Therefore, Jeremiah was moved to a less severe form of confinement in the "court of the prison" ([Jeremiah 37:21](/jeremiah/37-21 "Jeremiah's Previous Confinement")), where he had been held previously. This partial deliverance allowed him to survive and continue his prophetic ministry, albeit under guard, reflecting the king's compromise between divine instruction and political expediency.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah's experience in the miry dungeon and his subsequent partial deliverance profoundly foreshadows the ultimate suffering and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as Jeremiah, the faithful prophet, was cast into a pit of despair and death for faithfully delivering God's unpopular message to a rebellious people, so too was Christ, the ultimate Prophet and Son of God, sent to a world that largely rejected His truth and sought His demise. He descended into the depths of human suffering and death, symbolized not by a miry pit but by His crucifixion, burial, and the three days in the tomb, a spiritual "dungeon" of ultimate separation from God as He bore the full weight of humanity's sin ([Matthew 27:57-60](/matthew/27-57-60 "Matthew 27:57-60 - Jesus' Burial")). However, just as Jeremiah was miraculously "drawn up" from the pit, Christ was gloriously raised from the dead by the power of God, signifying His complete triumph over sin, death, and the grave ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus from the Dead")). While Jeremiah's rescue was a partial deliverance to continued confinement, Christ's resurrection was the ultimate and complete liberation, not just for Himself but for all who believe, offering true freedom from the prison of sin and death and the promise of new, eternal life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Raised to New Life")). Moreover, Ebed-Melech's compassionate and courageous intercession for Jeremiah points to Christ as our great High Priest and Intercessor, who continually pleads our cause before the Father, ensuring our rescue from spiritual death and our ultimate salvation ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our Intercessor")). Jeremiah's suffering and preservation, therefore, serve as a powerful type and shadow of Christ's greater redemptive work, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His plan of salvation through His beloved Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 37:21

Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

Acts 28:16

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

Acts 23:35

I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

Acts 28:30

¶ And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Jeremiah 38:28

So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was [there] when Jerusalem was taken.

1 Kings 22:27

And say, Thus saith the king, Put this [fellow] in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

Acts 24:23

And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let [him] have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.